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Missouri Court Strikes Parts of Law Passed After Ferguson Report

Judge says law unconstitutionally targeted St. Louis area with lower caps on traffic-fine revenue

Associated Press

March 29, 2016 11:11 a.m. ET

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—A Missouri court on Monday struck down parts of a law limiting cities’ ability to profit from traffic tickets and court fines—a measure meant to address concerns raised by the Justice Department after the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson.

Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem ruled that the law unconstitutionally targeted St. Louis-area municipalities with caps on revenue from traffic fines that were lower than other cities in the state. He also struck down special requirements included in the...